Marine steering and propelling device



June 5, 1951 w, JQNES 2,555,886

MARINE STEERING AND PROPELLINC DEVICE Filed Jan. 18, 1947 I 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG June 5, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 18, 1947 Patented June 5, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MARINE STEERING AND PROPELLING DEVICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a marine steering and propelling device and more particularly to a portable steering and propelling. device for water craft and the like.

Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provision of a portable steering and propelling device operable in deep or shallow water which may be controlled to any of a wide range of steering positions, or at the operator's discretion may be conveniently and quickly set to either of two predetermined steering positions; the provision of a portable and steering and propelling device which will serve to propel the boat to which it is attached; the provision of a device of the class described that when not in actual use for steering or propelling does not interfere with the desirable natural movements of the boat; the provision of a device of this class which will provide an additional keel effect; and the provision of a portable steering and propelling device which may be completely and conveniently controlled without interfering with the freedom of the operators hands. Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated one of various possible embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the portable steering and propelling device of the present invention attached to a canoe, with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the portable steering and propelling device and the canoe of Fig. l with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the portable steering and propelling device of Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale illustrating a hinging action;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of Fig. 3 illustrating various rudder positions;

Fig. 5 is a side view on an enlarged scale of the foot pedal of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a top view on an enlarged scale of the foot pedals of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a front view of the foot pedal of Fig. 5 as viewed from line '|-l of Fig. 5; and,

Fig. 8 is a cross section taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Fig. 3.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The use of one particular boat in all types of water such as swift-flowing streams, sluggish rivers or still lakes is diflicult because a keel construction that is advantageous in one type of water will be detrimental in another. Thus, where rapid manueverability is desired or passage through swift water is anticipated a large keel is not advantageous, while in slow water a small keel will cause undue drifting. Although it is possible to have an assortment of several keels adapted to be detachably fastened to the bottom of any particular boat to render such boat operable in the particular type of water desired, this is both expensive and time consuming.

In accordance with the present invention a keel efiect of the desired degree is at the instantaneous control of the operator and moreover delicate control of the boats direction is available. Furthermore, more completely to enable the operator to control his craft, propulsion by means of the same device is provided, so that relative movement between the boat and the water may be supplied at all times.

The novel device of the present invention provides in addition to the desirable keel features, above mentioned, a portable and quickly attachable steering and propelling device which when not energized by the operator interferes in no way with the natural floating characteristics of the craft to which it is attached. In other words, even when this device is affixed to the craft it interferes in no way with normal operation, and the boat handles as if the device were not so affixed. However, at the desire of the operator additional keel effect, rudder action in either of two predetermined positions, or rudder action intermediate either of two predetermined positions or propulsion of the craft may be conveniently accomplished.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a water craft, such as a canoe, is indicated generally at numeral I. The portable steering and propeller device of the present invention is indicated generally by numeral 3. A quickdetachable stern clamp 5 is removably afiixed to the stern of boat I by means of a bolt 1. The forward end of the clamp 5 is formed so as to fit the contours of the boat I and resilient thongs 9 are provided for such mounting. Stern clamp 5 is provided with a mooring eye ID. A rudder block I I is pivotally mounted by means of a bolt [3 to the stern clamp 5. Stern clamp 5 and rudder block ll comprise a rudder support. The sides of block ll extend forward to provide a bearing for bolt 13 and side support for block H. The rear portion of the rudder block ll carries a bearing bracket l5. A rudder post I1 is supported by and extends through the bearing bracket |5. The rudder post l1 carries a rudder and propeller assembly I9 comprising a rigid plate 2| and a flexible fish tail part 23. The assembly I9 is adjustably mounted on the lower end of the rudder post H by any suitable means permitting the rudder to be selectively positioned at any one of a number of different depths. As illustrated, assembly I9 is vertically bored to receive the lower end of rudder post 1. Assembly 9 may be maintained at a desired depth by means of a pin extending through a transverse aperture of assembly I9 and through any one of a number of transverse apertures 21 of rudder post l1. This adjustment is illustrated by the two different positions of assembly l9 shown in Figs, 1 .and 3. A disc 29 which carries an eccentrically mounted crank pin 3| is rigidly afiixed to the rudder post I1 by means of a pin 33. The disc23 and the eccentric pin 3| takes the place of the usual tiller bar. The assembly I9 is so affixed to the rudder post I1 and is 01 such fore and aft length and its distance from clamp -5 is such as to allow free 360 rotation of the rudder l9 without fouling the boat. I A port control cable 35 and a starboard control cable 31, each cable being provided with a loop or eye at its extremity, is coupled to the crankpin 3|. A cable guide 39 and a cable guide securely mounted on the sides of block II are provided to guide cables 35 and 31, respectively. The forward looped extremities or eyes of cables 35 and 31 pass through apertures 43 and 45, respectively, and are coupled to control members pedals 41 and 49 bymeans of pins 5| and '53. The pedals 41 and A9 are pivotally suspended by means of hinges 55 and 51 from supports 59 and 6|. These supports are ad- 'justably and quick-detachably mounted on the inner and under side of the gunwales of boat by means of bolts 63 and 65 and clamps 31 and 69. 'The lengths of the cables and 31 and the distance of the pedals from the crank constituted by disc 29 and crank pin 3| are made such that when both pedals are maintained in a neutral position, intermediate their limits of swingingmovement, corresponding to the neutral position of the rudder (as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2) the cables are maintained taut to 'hold the rudder in its neutral position. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in this neutral position the pedals extend substantially vertically downward from their hinge pivots. If the boatman uses his feet to apply equal forces to the two pedals tending to swing them forward from their neutral position of Figs. 1 and 2, the cables 35 and 31 will be maintained taut and the rudder will be positively held in neutral position. If he releases his feet, the pedals are freed for swinging movement toward and away from the stern of the boat. It is essential that the ends of the cables attached to the pedals be capable of moving through a distance at least slightly greater than the throw of the crank pin 3| (i. e., a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the circle of movement of the pin). This is accomplished byspacing the points of attachment of the cables 35 and 31 to the pedals at 43 and $5 from the pivots of the pedals a distance reater than the throw of the crank pin 3|, so that the throw of each pedal is greater than that of the cranklthe throw of the pedals being measured from the hinges and 51 to the apertures 4 and 45).

termined position 0, shown in Fig. 4.

Operation is as follows:

The aft portion of the device 3 is attached to the stern of the boat by means of the bolt 1 and the pedal assemblies are attached to the opposite gunwales at a convenient distance from the operator and at the proper distance from the stern by means of bolts 63 and '65 and clamps '61 and 69. One end of cable 35 is inserted through aperture 33 and looped over pin 5|, while the other end is passed through cable guide 39 and looped over crank pin 3|. The'ends of cable 31 are similarly looped over pin 53 and crank pin 3|, respectively, so that the cable 31 passes through cable guide 4| and aperture 45. Assembly I9 is then adjusted to a desired depth by inserting pin 25 to any one of the holes 21.

The'boat I while floating free will not be affected in any manner by the operation of the device 3 if the pedals 41 and 49 are undisturbed. If there is relative motion between the water and the boat, assembly I!) is free to swing continuously and thus streamlineitself with the water current provided, of course, that the boatman leaves the pedals free. Considering the action under these circumstances, as the rudder swings counterclockwise from its neutral position D illustrated in Fig. 2, it will be seen that during the initial phase of the rotation of the rudder, the crank pin 3| will pull on cable 31 and swing back the pedal 49, and cable 35 will simply slack off. This action occurs until the rudder and the crank pin reach the position B shown in Fig. 4; Then, the pin pulls both cables back until the reach of the cable 31 between the pin 3| and the guide 4| passes over the axis of the post N. Then cable 31 slacks oif and pedal 49 swings forward. Meanwhile pedal 41 is being swung back by cable 35. This continues until the reach of the cable 35 between the pin 3| and the guide 39 passes over the axis of the post l1, and then cable 35 slacks off and pedal 41 swings forward. At the conclusion of rotation of pin 3| through a full arc, back to position D of Fig. ;4, both pedals are back in their neutral position. This action is permitted by reason of having the distances from the pivots of the pedals to the :points of attachment of the cables to the pedals greater than the throw of the crank, and by having the pedals linked together for movement only through the cable connections to the crank pin 3|. Thus, if the forward water motion is greater than that of the boat the normal trailing edge 23 will align itself with'the current so as to be forward of the shaft H, such as is illustrated in an intermediate position by position "A of Fig. 4.

If it is desired to direct the boat to starboard, pedal 41 is pushed forward to its exitreme limit and pedal 43 is not actuated. This action causes cable 35 to be tensioned and crank pin 3| to be held in the position illustrated in 'Fig. 4. This is because the line of pull of the cable Where applied to the crank pin 3| is di-' rected through the crank center, which is to say through the center of shaft |1. As long as forward pressure is applied to pedal 41, assembly J9 will beheld in the position B of Fig. 4. By pressure on only the pedal 49 the assembly I?! may be caused to assume the alternate prede These two positions are determined by the diameter of the plate 29, the position of thecrank pin 2| position between positions. B and C. by cooperative pressure on pedals H. and 43 by the operator. The relative pressure applied to each pedal will determine the actual intermediate position of assembly [9.

To provide for additional keel effect the operator actuates the pedals so that the pressure on pedal M is equal to that on pedal 49. In re sponse to this action assembly l9 will align itself in its neutral plane, position D of Fig. 4. The amount or keel effect may be conveniently decreased or increased by raising or lowering assembly I9 on shaft I1.

As it is desirable to have relative motion between the boat I and the water to cause the craft to respond to rudder actuation the resilient portion 23 of assembly is has been provided. By alternate pushing of pedals H and 49, assembly l9 will be caused to move rapidly between the positions B and C and the resultant fish-tail action will propel the boat 3! forward. Once such relative movement is imparted to the boat. rudder action may be used to control the boats heading.

The flexible fish-tail section 23 of rudder I9 is constructed of a resilient, semi-rigid material, such as stiff rubber, so that it may be conveniently trimmed, as illustrated, to fit the contours of the boat to which the rudder device is attached so that it will clear the boat during complete rotations of the rudder assembly IS.

The hinging action between block 9 and support I I provides protection for the rudder device of the present invention. An obstruction passing under the boat will cause the assembly l9 and its associated components to rotate upwardly on the axis of bolt I3 rather than causing damage. A shear pin 'Il may also be provided to prevent light water-borne objects from causing the assembly I9 to be lifted from the water by the aforementioned hinging action. This hinging action also enables the entire assembly to be more conveniently folded together for carrying when not mounted on the boat.

As both pedals 41 and 49 and the aft portion of the novel rudder and propeller device 3 of the present invention are quickly detachable by means of only three bolts I, 63 and 65 and the control cables 35 and 31 are quickly removable merely by unlooping from the pins 5! and 53 and crank pin 3|, rapid mounting and dismounting is conveniently accomplished.

Although the aft portion of device 3 is n1ounted on boat I by means of the stern clamp 9 and bolt 1, any other means of attachment may be used. For example, the aft portion of rudder device 3 may be affixed to the transom of a rowboat by means of a block and bracket assembly.

The cable guides 39 and III may be conveniently replaced by appropriate pulley assemblies, and if such operation is desired, cables 35 and 3! may be crossed so as to provide a port heading when pedal 4'! is pushed, and a starboard heading when pedal 49 is pushed.

It is also to be understood that although pedals 41 and 49 are mounted for foot operation, the

aft portion of device 3 may be operated manually.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. Rudder mechanism for a boat comprising a rudder support at the stern of the boat, a rudder post rotary in the support, a rudder on the post adapted for free rotation through a full circle, a crank at the upper end of the post,-

pedals pivoted at opposite sides of the boat for swinging movement toward and away from the stern of the boat, cable connections from the pedals to the crank, the length of the cable connections and the distance of the pedals from the crank being such that when both pedals are maintained in a neutral position intermediate the limits of their swinging movement corresponding to the neutral position of the rudder, the cable connections are maintained taut to hold the rudder in neutral position, the cable connections being attached to the pedals at points spaced from the pivots of the pedals a distance greater than the throw of the crank, whereby, when both pedals are free, the rudder may swing freely through a full circle in either direction, and whereby the pedals may be positively actuated to hold the rudder in neutral position or positively swing it to one side or the other.

2. Rudder mechanism for a boat comprising a rudder support at the stern of the boat, a rudder post rotary in the support, a rudder on the post adapted for free rotation through a full circle, a crank at the upper end of the post, pedals pivoted at opposite sides of the boat for swinging movement about a horizontal axis transverse to the boat and toward and away from the stern of the boat, the pedals hanging down from their pivots, cable connections from the pedals to the crank, the length of the cable connections and the distance of the pedals from the crank being such that when both pedals are maintained in a neutral position intermediate the limits of their swinging movement corresponding to the neutral position of the rudder, the cable connections are maintained taut to hold the rudder in neutral position, the cable connections being attached to the pedals at points spaced from the pivots of the pedals a distance greater than the throw of the crank. whereby, when both pedals are free, the rudder may swing freely through a full circle in either direction, and whereby the pedals may be positively actuated to hold the rudder in neutral position or positively swing it to one side or the other.

3. Rudder mechanism for a boat comprising a rudder support at the stern of the boat, a rudder post rotary in the support, a rudder on the post adapted for free rotation through a full circle, a crank at the upper end of the post having an upwardly extending crank pin, pedals pivoted at opposite sides of the boat for swinging movement about a horizontal axis transverse to the boat and toward and away from the stern of the boat, the pedals hanging down from their pivots, cable connections from the pedals to the crank pin, the length of the cable connections and the distance of the pedals from the crank pin being such that when both pedals are maintained in a neutral position intermediate the limits of their swinging movement corresponding to the neutral position of the rudder, the cable connections are maintained taut to hold the rudder in neutral position, the cable connections being attached to the pedals at direction, and whereby maximum forward actuation of either pedal alone will hold the rudder in either of two limiting steering positions.

WALTER LELAND JONES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Coloney Nov. 2, 1880 Hanson Aug. 5, 1902 Sheldon Nov. 20, 1923 Taylor Dec. 3, 1929 Lewis et a1. May 5, 1931 Beuhler Aug. 11, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Jan. 22, 1924 France -1 Nov. 23, 1931 

